Pressure over the ulnar side of the palm is highest in the drops, where the wrist is also most extended, and padded gloves cut it by 10–28%
Key Findings
Padded gloves reduced hypothenar pressure by 10 to 28%, with slightly better reduction from thin foam padding than from gel.
Without gloves, average peak hypothenar pressures were 134–165 kPa.
The drops induced the greatest hypothenar pressure and the most extended wrist posture, compared with the tops and the hoods (36 experienced cyclists on a stationary bike).
Practical Application
For numb ring and little fingers: wear padded gloves (thin foam is enough), spend less unbroken time in the drops, and rotate tops, hoods and drops through a long ride.
Keep the wrist close to neutral rather than bent back — the position with the most extension was also the one with the most pressure.
These lower pressure; that they lower symptoms is a reasonable inference, not a tested result.
Limitations
Stationary riding, no road vibration, no nerve or symptom outcome. Abstract only was read.